The 1970s would be the last great decade of territorial wrestling. During the decade, wrestling in the United States would be ruled by the NWA, AWA and WWWF (WWE). During the time, kayfabe ruled the professional wrestling world. Wrestlers would go to any length necessary to live and prove their wrestling gimmicks. Before the expansion of cable television, the regional territory was the most popular way to follow professional wrestling.
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Before the WWE Golden Era of the 1980s, these wrestlers of the 1970s set the foundation for the sports entertainment that would sweep the nation. Today, many of the wrestlers on the 1970s have passed on, but some of the icons are still around.
10 Stan Hansen - 73
Stan The Lariat Hansen would debut in 1973, and the rough and tough cowboy gimmick would follow him throughout his career. Hansen, at 6'4 and 321 pounds would wrestle around the world in the 1970s. Hansen would join the WWWF in 1976, and would have the Pro Wrestling Illustrated Match of the Year in 1976 against Bruno Sammartino. In the same year PWI would name Hansen the Most Hated Wrestler of the Year. Hansen, holds claim to World championships in North America and Asia, and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2016.
9 Baron Von Raschke - 82
The 6'3, 280 pound, Baron Von Raschke would debut in 1966, and become a notorious sports entertainer in the 1970s. Von Raschke used the Iron Claw as a submission hold, and made the move so legendary that WWWF would censor the move with a red x on television programming. Von Raschke would feud with Bruno Samartinno at Madison Square Garden in 1977. In 1978, Von Raschke would be recognized as the first NWA Television Champion. In 2021, Von Raschke would appear in AEW and lock the Iron Claw on Ethan Page.
8 WIld Samoans: Afa (80) & Sika (78)
The Wild Samoans were the Bloodline before WWE made the Bloodline famous. The 6'2, 320 pounders were trained by their blood uncle, High Chief Peter Maivia. Afa and Sika would make their debut in 1973 and quickly win the Stampede International Tag Team Championships.
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The Samoans rarely spoke in interviews, portraying wild men who grunted and brawled. The Wild Samoans would win over 20 titles in their careers around the world. The three time WWE World Tag Team Champions would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007.
7 Bob Backlund - 73
Bob Backlund is a 2 time WWE World Champion. Backlund would win his first title in 1978, defeating Superstar Billy Graham at Madison Square Garden. Backlund was the perfect 1970s golden boy babyface. Backlund would end the decade as the WWE World Champion. Backlund didn't drop his WWE title until the end of 1983. Backlund would drop the title to the evil Iron Sheik on December 26, 1983. Due to a kayfabe back injury, Backlund would not receive a rematch. The rematch went to Hulk Hogan, who defeated Sheik and launched HulkaMania.
6 Mil Mascaras - 81
Mil Mascaras would start his legendary lucha libre career in 1963. Pro Wrestling Illustrated named Mascaras the 1975 Most Popular Wrestler of the Year. The masked luchador would never be unmasked in his lucha career. Mascaras is arguably the greatest luchador of all time. In 2012, Mascaras would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. Mil Mascaras has risen to great fame in Mexico, where he has starred in 20 films. Mascaras' name translates into Man of Thousand Masks.
5 Sue Green - 69
Sue Green's first match in 1969 occurred when she was only 15 years old. After graduating from high school, Green would be trained by the Fabulous Moolah. Green would wrestle around the world. Pro Wrestling Illustrated named Green the Girl Wrestler of the Year in 1976. Green would defeat Fabulous Moolah in a shoot fight in 1976 and hold the WWE title for several days before being forced to relinquish the title; the reign is not recognized today. Green would break her back and neck in 1979 that would take her 3 years to recover from.
4 Terry Funk - 79
Terry Funk would wrestle for five decades starting in 1965. In 1975, Funk would defeat Jerry Brisco for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. His 14-month title reign would include defenses in Japan, Australia and Singapore. Funk would drop the title to Harley Race in Toronto. Pro Wrestling Illustrated would name Funk the 1976 (male) Wrestler of the Year. Tokyo Sports would award Funk with the Popularity Award in 1979. Funk would be named to the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009.
3 Gerald Brisco - 76
Gerald Brisco is remembered by many modern day fans as one of Vince McMahon's "Stooges" yet he had a very successful career in the 1970s. Brisco would debut in 1967, after a successful amateur wrestling career. Gerald would team with his brother Jack to create the very successful Brisco Brothers tag team. The Brisco Brothers would wrestle in NWA Florida in the 1970s; dominating tag team and singles wrestling. Brisco would be named to the WWE Hall of Fame in 2008.
2 Bill Watts - 84
Cowboy Bill Watts stood 6'3 and weighed near 300 pounds in his career. Watts would debut in 1962. Some of Watts highlights included a famous feud with WWE World Champion Bruno Sammartino, yet the Cowboy couldn't win the title. In the 1970s, Watts would wrestle in NWA Florida where he would capture 3 NWA Florida Heavyweight Championships and a NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship. Watts would go on to be booker for Mid South Wrestling/ Universal Wrestling Federation and World Championship Wrestling. In 1995, Watts would help book in WWE as well. WWE would induct Watts into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009.
1 Abdullah The Butcher - 82
The 6 foot, 360 pounds Madman from the Sudan, Abdullah the Butcher is an absolute wrestling legend. Abdullah started his career in 1958 and would wrestle his last match in 2010. Abdullah is known for his incredible hardcore style of wrestling. Pro Wrestling Illustrated would name Abdullah the 54th best wrestler of the PWI Years in 2003.
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Abdullah would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2011, without ever participating in the WWE. Abdullah the Butcher would even be highlighted in a recent episode of Dark Side of the Ring.
